It's Saturday at Dean's Grocery. The place is packed with soccer moms, their kids screaming for "those cookies" or "that cereal," and all the other poor fools whose work schedules force them to run errands on the weekend. Every available associate is on the register, managers included, and still the queues are four or more customers deep. Cashiers are having to run price and ad checks on their own, and no, your "imported free-range non-gmo cruelty free veggie-based face cream" is not 98¢ and I'll show you the shelf label because yes, that bitch really is $20 and you knew that before you got up here Karen.
Rayan is stuck on a register, same as anyone else. It's always like this on Saturdays. He was sweltering, and his protective bite collar seemed to be suffocating him. The symptoms had just started, but there was no mistaking it, his heat was definitely on the way. He had about half an hour left of his shift. His heat usually took two hours or more to fully kick in. Usually. There was plenty of time to finish work and make it home safely. He just had to wait it out.
Just keep up the customer service smile. Not too much longer now. Everything is going to be fine.
He would have to call out of his evening job, can't forget to do that. Actually, his heat would probably overlap with his next night gig shift too. Just remember to send a text to all three bosses once he gets back to the break room. Sucks to miss work, but it's not like it's possible to do much during a heat, and it's not like it's safe to be out.
He'd learned that lesson the hard way.
Did he have enough food at home to last a few days? He should, but considering how he was feeling there was no way he'd have time to get more food before his heat was in full swing. If not there's instant noodles. He always makes sure to keep plenty of those on hand. Why was this lady buying so many bananas? People are weird. Just keep smiling. Twenty minutes to go. Damn it's hot in here...
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All Scott needed was a bag of coffee. He never expected the grocery store to be so busy this time of day. He usually came when he got off work, but he ran out this morning and there was no way he was going to go without until Monday. He ran a hand through his short blond hair. Such is the price for neglecting to notice his supply had gotten so low, I guess. The line he was in seemed to be taking a while, should he switch in hopes of leaving faster? The lady in front of him, cart piled with goods, offered to let him cut since he only had one thing, but he politely declined. She was here first after all. Everyone's just trying to get what they need and get on with their day.
He glanced over at the cashier. A scrawny guy with light tan skin and curly brown hair that was pulled back into a tight ponytail. The nude full-neck bite collar stood out against his slightly darker complexion. Huh, you don't see very many male omegas. He was kind of cute either way. The wait seemed to be caused thanks to a lady with a pile of kool-aide packets. She was insisting that since she bought some on sale last week, she deserved the same price this week. She was going on about "but it's for my church!" Wasn't Kool-Aid like 10¢ apiece? He definitely preferred weekday shopping. Still, maybe he would stay in this line after all. He wouldn't mind a closer look at the cashier.
He zoned out a bit, waiting his turn. Finally, he put his bag of coffee on the counter. Something smelled really good... Sweet and musky, almost like-
"Wi-will this be all for you to-today s-sir?"
The cashier's voice trembled. Scott looked up sharply. The cashier was shaking, trying not to breathe heavily. There was a sheen of sweat on his brow. That smell... Oh shit-
"Hey," Scott looked down at the guy's name tag, "Rayan? Rayan, are you okay?"
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Rayan had a white-knuckle grip on the counter. Why now? Why so fast? He had time!
Shit shit shit shit shit-
He heard people begin to comment on the smell. This is bad! His heat had come at him full-swing and his emergency suppressants were in the break room. When did that customer come around the counter? Crap- is... is this guy alpha? Is he going to attack me!? His ass felt slimy as his body began producing lubricant. His pants were way too tight. It was so hot... His body wanted this alpha... Any alpha...
"Dont- DON'T TOUCH ME!"
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Scott whipped around the counter. This is bad. This is so, so bad. Rayan cried out, "DON'T TOUCH ME!" and his knees gave way as he backed up against the register. It was causing a commotion. Scott prayed he was the only alpha here.
"Rayan? Rayan, it's okay it's okay." Said Scott as he knelt down to Rayan's eye level. "My name is Dr. Kranston. I'm an alpha who works for New Line Fertility a few blocks from here. I'm on a suppressant, I'm not going to hurt you, okay?"
The store manager had made his way over by now. "Hey you! What do you think you're doing to my employee?" he shouted. Scott held up a finger to silence the man.
"Rayan," he continued in a calm tone, "do you have an emergency injection with you right now?"
Rayan had his knees pulled to his chest in a defensive position. "Nuh- ah- uh- no. No, it's- it's in the back." In his head he kept repeating: go away, go away, go away, no don't go away, no wait, go away go away go away!
"Rayan, hey listen to me, I've got a dose of Otoforin on me." Scott pulled the single use epi-pen like device from his pocket. "Do you know if you're allergic to anything in it?"
"N-no, that's the one ah- I use"
"Rayan, do you want me to inject you with this?"
Wait, what? This alpha isn't going to attack him? Rayan was as confused as he was uncomfortable. Why... Why's this guy helping him out? Rayan nodded his head.
"Rayan, you've got to give me verbal permission to touch you."
"Ye- yes. Help. Pl-please."
"Okay Rayan, stick out your leg for me."
Rayan obeyed, hiding his lap with his hands. Heat or no, this was embarrassing. If only the dress code allowed for looser pants. His hole was wet. His front was throbbing. He hated it. Why now? Why so suddenly?
Dr. Kranston moved closer, checking for the correct location on Rayan's thigh muscle before injecting the drug through his clothing. "There, all done. It should kick in soon." He grabbed a nearby notepad and started fanning Rayan's flushed face. He looked over his shoulder. The manager was still there.
"Hey, do you guys have somewhere safe he can rest a bit? He shouldn't be left alone until the drug takes effect."
The manager looked gruff, almost annoyed. "Yeah," he said with a resigned sigh, "we'll keep him in the back for a bit."
Scott turned back to the poor cashier. "Rayan, can you stand? Do you need help?"
Rayan levered himself up using the counter saying, "No, I'm oh- okay." For once, he was thankful for the uniform apron. The tools and pens in the pocket managed to hide his erection fairly well. The assistant manager had come through to redirect traffic and disperse the crowd. He could hear the hushed comments of the customers, this was likely the biggest spectacle they've seen all week after all.
One guy whispered a little too loudly, "This is why we don't need omegas in the work force."
Rayan's first thought was: fuck you man, I've got bills to pay. He was used to comments like that though. It wasn't too long before he was born that omegas were still considered property, anyway.
The manager led the way to the break room. Rayan followed, footing slightly unsteady. Scott followed close behind, determined to ensure the poor guy's safety.
"So, ah- whatever you said your name was," the manager spoke up as he opened the door to the break room, "Sorry for the inconvenience of this whole mess, but I'll need you to sign off on an incident report."
"Yeah, I figured as much," Scott said, pulling out a chair for Rayan, "I don't mind."
Rayan mumbled a thanks as he sat down and rested his head on the table. He hated taking the emergency injections. Why couldn't his cycle wait just one more hour? The meds always threw his body off schedule, now he was probably going to have to miss another day of work. Dammit!
The manager spoke up again. "I'm sure our Rayan will be fine in here for a bit. If you don't mind, would you follow me to the office and we can get this business settled?"
"Sir, I don't think it's a good idea to leave him alone just yet-"
"I'm fine," Rayan spit out, a little harsher than intended. Man, his head hurt... "Thanks for your help. Sorry for the trouble. Don't worry, this isn't the first time I've had a dose of that stuff." Please, just leave already!
"Ah, well then, if you insist," replied Scott, slightly taken aback. "I recommend having someone come pick you up though. It wouldn't be safe to make your way home alone in your condition."
Rayan pointedly turned his head away from the doctor, burying his head in his arms. Damn side effects. His stomach was starting to feel queasy. Please just leave already...